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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dec. 30, 2003 6 p.m.
Release # 4
03-242
Contact: Joint Information Center, 206-546-7162
Date of spill: Dec. 30, 2003
Location: ChevronTexaco terminal, Point Wells, near Shoreline, Washington
Type of oil: Industrial fuel oil.
Amount of oil: 6,000 gallons spilled in total; 1,200 gallons recovered from the barge deck; 4,800 gallons entered the water
Responsible Party: Foss Maritime Company, the barge owner. (This designation means the company is taking a responsibility for the clean-up, but does not indicate legal liability.)
Cause or source of the spill: The cause of the spill is under investigation. The spill happened as oil was being loaded into the barge.
Vessel involved: Tank barge Foss 248-P2
People responding: 247
Response vessels deployed: 18; 14 are skimmers
Boom deployed: 8,000 feet; 20,000 feet available
Status of oil: Oil initially spread south of Point Wells on an incoming tide. A sheen, interspersed with area of thicker oil, primarily occupied the center of the main channel of Puget Sound, off Shoreline and North Seattle. Oil sheen was reported to have touched shore at several beaches in Seattle, Shoreline and Jefferson Head in Kitsap County. Tides and weather are expected to push the oil toward the western shores of Puget Sound overnight. Increased wind and wave action may break up and disperse the oil.
Closures or restrictions: FAA flight restriction over the immediate vicinity of Point Wells
Resources at risk: The central Puget Sound region contains eelgrass beds, salt marshes, and spawning beaches for baitfish. Port Madison is a major herring spawning area, with spawning season due to begin in January. The area's shallow bays are home to Dungeness crabs and hardshell clams. Birds live in the area, including herons and waterfowl. There are small seal haulouts.
Oiled wildlife: One seal pup and one gull have been recovered so far. The seal has died. The gull is receiving treatment. If you see oiled wildlife, leave it alone and call, toll free, 800-22-BIRDS.
Weather/seas: Seas were light Tuesday, one to two feet, with winds to 15 mph from the south and southwest. Winds are forecast to shift to the southeast overnight.
Injuries: None reported
Organizations involved: U.S. Coast Guard, Washington Department of Ecology, Foss Maritime Company, ChevronTexaco Corporation, National Response Corporation, Marine Spill Response Corporation, Clean Sound Cooperative, Global Diving and Salvage, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Information numbers:
Injured wildlife reporting line - 800-22BIRDS (222-4737)
News Media Only - 206-546-7162
The media phone line will not be staffed from 10 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m.
tomorrow morning.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
